Beech Tree News Network

On April 17, 2022, the Butler County Softball program and the broader community suffered a tremendous loss when former player Bayleigh Bron Alford, 19, was tragically killed in a car accident on Easter morning.

Bayleigh started playing softball for the Butler County Bears in the 5th grade and played through her middle and high school years. She had that beautiful and vibrant smile that matched her personality. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing pool and cards, ping pong loved to sing, but most of all, she loved spending time with family and friends. Her parents are Bronson and Jamie Alford. Although they could not attend today, Bayleigh has some family members present. 

Butler County High School has hosted a round-robin event like this one for several years. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to rename this annual event in memory of Bayleigh Alford officially. The tournament's official sponsors, which will launch fully in 2024, will be Beech Tree News and WLBQ, co-owned by former softball coaches John Embry and Diane Dyer, who coached Bayleigh from grades 5-12. The event, beginning next year, will feature t-shirts, game MVP medals, and various other softball-related activities.

To commemorate the renaming of the Butler County Round Robin to the "Bayleigh Bron Alford Memorial Round-Robin,"  Haley Peach, a former teammate, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.  

Bayleigh's death was a tragic loss to the BCHS Softball Family. 

"It is our goal that in the future, this event, renamed in honor of Bayleigh, will provide many opportunities for excellent softball competition, promote fellowship and good sportsmanship among all parties, and be a fun environment that will put a smile on your face, much like the broad and quick smile that Bayleigh always had. We miss her," said Embry.